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BBC Four has announced an adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction classic The First Men in the Moon as part of their fall lineup.

Rory Kinnear and Mark Gatiss

It's July 1969 and the Apollo 11 astronauts are about to make their historic Moon landing. But they are in for a surprise – somebody has beaten them to it.Mark Gatiss ( Sherlock, S&S 2008) takes the lead role as Edwardian scientist Professor Cavor.As the world waits for news of Apollo 11, a young boy meets 90-year-old Julius Bedford played by Rory Kinnear (Return to Cranford, Mansfield Park) who tells him an extraordinary story.As a young man back in 1909, Bedford happens across Professor Cavor, who has developed an amazing invention – Cavorite, which makes anything to which it is applied immune to gravity. Recognising a miracle when he sees one, and with a keen eye on the potential profit, Bedford encourages Cavor to think big. The two men set about constructing a copper and cast-iron sphere, in which they intend to fly to the Moon.What terrors await them in the lunar interior, and will they ever succeed in returning to Earth? The cast also includes Alex Riddell who will play Jim, the inquisitive boy listening to Bedford's story. Jim's father is played by Peter Forbes and his mother by Katherine Jakeways. Lee Ingleby will play Chessocks, and Julia Deakin will play Mrs Fitt.